Listen, there’s nothing wrong with ballrooms and barns. I likely would’ve gotten married in the latter if I didn’t have our perfect venue/had I married any other man. I get that these venues that have been used over and over are likely used because they are beautiful, convenient and actually have the staffing and amenities that you need to host a wedding. They can also be decorated and transformed to be just as unique as any of the locations I’ve listed below, so absolutely nothing against them.
If you haven’t noticed yet, the most important thing for me in weddings is making sure they represent your fiancé and you as a couple. I know sometimes budget and the aforementioned amenities and convience come into play, but I do think there are ways to mix in personal touches regardless, and the venue can be a huge factor for that.
What I want to propose is that there are venues out there that are relatively untapped, so if you don’t want to get married at the same place every single person from your high school got married, you don’t have to. It will take more work and research to find them. They might not come up right away on Google, and you may not have heard about it directly from your planner. You may even just be able to ask if they’d be willing to host a large-scale event… honestly, I’d just take a chance. What’s the worse that could happen?!
Because I took on the challenge of getting married in a venue that is not usually a venue, I can say with confidence that it is doable. It is A LOT of work. It would definitely be something that a wedding planner may not want to take on, because it could end up being additional work for him or her. It will also be more work for you… a lot more work. If you don’t have the time to tackle it all, it could not be worth it. I want to do a full post on what exactly that entails, but for now I’ll just say to take that in consideration when choosing a venue.
My advice is start big: where would you dream your wedding would take place and then see if it’s available on a smaller scale. For example, maybe Greece is your dream destination, but you know it’s not doable monetary-wise to do a destination wedding, but you have a favorite restaurant in your city that looks the part (i.e. this spot in NYC).
Here are some other things I think can be used as thought starters when looking for a unique and deeply personal venue:
- Where you met
- Your favorite place to go as a kid
- Your date night spot
- A favorite restaurant
- Your go-to vacation spot
- Your “happy place”
To get you started, I’ve rounded out a few places that aren’t your everyday location below (most can be found within every city) AND have started a Pinterest board that will allow you to envision what this might look like. Keep scrolling and follow that board to see more.
You’re a drinker
1. Brewery
2. Wine cellar
You’re outdoorsy
3. Woods
4. Summer camp
5. National Park
6. On a cliff
7. Botanical garden
8. Conservatory/greenhouse
9. In an orchard
10. Tree house
You love learning
11. Museum
13. Library
14. College campus
You’re industrial
15. Warehouse
16. Ruins
17. Under a bridge
You’re a fan of water
18. River
19. Waterfall
20. Navy yard
You’re quirky
21. Antique store
22. Trailer park
You’re an animal lover
23. Zoo
24. Aquarium
You’re sporty
25. Shuffleboard club
26. Ski resort
Classic venues with a twist
These are venues that are definitely not unique as categories, but can certainly be personal and unique when you find the right one. Whether it’s the roof of a family friends’ apartment building or your aunt’s home that you would always stay at in the summer as a kid, these venues can be unique and personal if you want them to be.
27. At home
